NEWS
School-based program gives children a voice as they use art to explore the social pressures that lead to gender-based violence
MEDIA RELEASE | 21 NOVEMBER 2025
ANROWS-produced research shows listening to young people is critical for effective change
An impact screening of a powerful documentary that follows an arts-based prevention program will be hosted next Monday 24 November by Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety (ANROWS) and arts and social change organisation Big hART.
- What: Screening of the 30-minute documentary It Starts With Us, followed by panel discussion
- When: Monday 24 November (12:00pm for a 12:30pm start)
- Where: Parliament House Theatrette, Canberra
Attendance is free and media are welcome. Interviews are available on request.
ANROWS says the evidence clearly supports the need for children and young people to be heard in conversations around family violence – especially people who have actually experienced violence but are often overlooked by the services and systems designed to keep them safe.
As ANROWS’ CEO, Dr Tessa Boyd-Caine, notes: “Ending domestic, family and sexual violence hinges on getting it right for children and young people and we cannot do that unless they are involved at every step, on their own terms.”
The sentiment is echoed by Rosie Batty AO, the prominent domestic violence campaigner and an ambassador and mentor for the prevention program, who also appears in the film.
“Violence is not inevitable, it is preventable,” Ms Batty says, “and there will not be a shift in how adults treat each other unless we focus on the next generation, and listen to young people.”
Following the screening, ANROWS CEO Dr Tessa Boyd-Caine will lead a panel discussion to explore why it is critical to engage young people in evidence-based prevention activities.
Panelists will include:
- Bailey and Xiao, young people who appear in the doco;
- Independent Senator for the ACT David Pocock, Co-Chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Ending Violence Against Women & Children; and
- Josephine Brogden, youth advocate.
The Hon Jodie Belyea MP, Federal Member for Dunkley – and resident of Frankston, VIC where the doco was filmed – will introduce the event. The Hon Ged Kearney MP, Assistant Minister for Social Services, will give a closing address.
Media should register at https://events.humanitix.com/it-starts-with-us-impact-screening as well as email chris@bighart.org to advise of their attendance.
The screening immediately precedes the annual UN 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign which runs from Tuesday 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) to Wednesday 10 December (UN Human Rights Day).
– ENDS –
Media contact:
Emmagness Ruzvidzo,
Media and Communications Manager, ANROWS
E: Emmagness.Ruzvidzo@anrows.org.au
M: 0468 322 800
About ANROWS
Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety (ANROWS) was established by the Commonwealth, state and territory governments under Australia’s first National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children (2010–2022). As an ongoing partner to the National Plan, ANROWS continues to build, strengthen and translate the evidence base that informs the current National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children (2022–2032).
With more than 150 research projects led, commissioned or contributed to, ANROWS delivers targeted evidence to inform practice, policy, and systems reform. We engage closely with victim-survivors, communities, service providers, governments and researchers to ensure our work reflects lived experience and supports collective action.
ANROWS is a not-for-profit company jointly funded by the Commonwealth and all state and territory governments. We are a registered harm prevention charity and deductible gift recipient, governed by the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC).